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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Colonel Aureliano Buendia do when he visits the jail?

2. Who is the expert musician?

3. Who are identical twins?

4. Who does Jose Arcadio tell of his affair with Pilar Ternera?

5. Where did Jose Arcadio Buendia and Ursula originally live?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Gerineldo Mbrquez disagrees with the decision of Colonel Aureliano Buendia?

2. Who are identical twins?

3. What is Colonel Aureliano Buendia's final request when he is caught and court martialed?

4. Describe Aureliano Segundo.

5. What makes Jose Arcadio Buendia and Ursula outcasts in their society?

6. Who vies for the attention of Pietro Crespi?

7. How do Ursula and Jose Arcadio Buendia learn that Rebeca is related to them?

8. What has Melqunades left behind after his sudden death?

9. How many illegitimate sons does Colonel Aureliano Buendia have and why?

10. How does the reader know that Colonel Aureliano Buendia has become distant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of the characters in this book take on lovers to help them with their loneliness, it seems. Describe the necessity of Pilar, Remedios the Beauty, Santa Sofia de la Piedad, and other women in the novel. What do they give to the lovers they take? What do these relationships take away from those who are in them?

Essay Topic 2

From the very beginning of this novel, the idea of time is an important theme. Because time seems to be cyclical in nature, it's difficult to tell when events happen - or if they even happen at all. Describe three events in the novel where time seems to affect the memory of the event as well as how time affects those involved in the event: the banana factory massacre, the political turn of events, and the deeds of Colonel Aureliano Buendia.

Essay Topic 3

The idea of religion is not something that's overlooked in this novel. From the many spiritual advisers to the idea of alternative religions and belief systems, it seems the author is just as interested in creating confusion as he is interested in creating order. What does this novel seem to say about religion in general and its usefulness in family life, home life, and politics?

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